Stung through a bee-suit

It doesn't matter what you wear, you're gonna get stung. I've been stung through blue jeans a number of times. But, for the most part, they don't sting through any fabric. The thing that makes stings more tolerable as a beekeeper is that you're psychologically prepared for it. So, when you're working bees, in the back of your mind is the likelihood that you'll get stung. Then, when it happens it still hurts but it isn't a shock.

There are some styles that allow the bees to walk to the end of the zipper and you will get several stings close to the throat!
Ernie

BEES4U said:

There are some styles that allow the bees to walk to the end of the zipper and you will get several stings close to the throat!
Ernie

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The Ultra Breeze is not one of those is it?

Ultrabreeze has a Velcro strip at the top of the zipper.

JoeMcc

Bees can and will sting through the fabric. If the fabric is thicker than the stinger is long it will greatly reduce the chance of a sting. Loose fitting suits work best but you will still get stung occasionally.

Keybeeper,
The ultra-breeze jacket is the best and you will appreciate it in the Georgia sun, I have been stung through blue jeans as well they, were tight on my leg at the time. I would expect that after a while you will go without gloves as well and you will get stung once in while. Overall the ultra breeze and blue jeans will work fine.

Thanks for the advice Ski. I just got a little birthday money and I'm going to convert it into a bee-suite pretty quick. The big Five-Oh.

What happens is the stinger when pulled from the bee does not stop working but continues to slide two barbed sections back and forth pulling it deeper and deeper into whatever was stung, so a minute or so after being stung in the suit or pants the stinger can work thru and begin to contact skin.

Some folks don't bother with the expense of a bee suit. They just use jeans, old long sleeve white shirt no longer fit for public use, pith helmet and veil, and do just fine. Oh, and I worked the gals like that yesterday, no gloves, too cool but had to do it, 4 stings on the hand. Fortunately 3 were on the arthritic hand. "medicine" can be rather painful. :lpf:
Regards,
Steven

Oh! And congratulations on the big 5-0!!! You're not getting old, you're aging like fine wine! :thumbsup:

LOL!!!if getting stung is a problem don't kick the hive.........

A few years ago I bought an el-cheapo set of used coveralls from EBay. ($3.00)They weren't specific to beekeeping, but they were made out of some thin material of a sorts. I've never got stung through them or my veil, but I've had the occasional bee go up the pants leg. She didn't go far enough up my leg to "visit the boys" thank goodness, but that is all I ever get, is the rare occasion of a bee up the pants leg. The cover-alls are white, which is supposed to be a plus. The coveralls have snaps to tighten them around the ankles, but lazyness prevails with me usually on the snaps on the ankles. Buy a jacket or coveralls your comfortable with and go at it. It wont be that you get stung 5 times everytime you visit the bees. Some beeks wear whatever they have on them for the day, and very rarely get stung.

You will love the Ultrabreeze Jacket -- I am thinking of getting a smaller one for friends who may want to visit with me while working the bees.

I normally wear Khaki cotten pants. It seems that the only time that I got stung with bees climbing up my foot was when I was working the bees at dusk where they land on the grass and crawl up.

When I got stung thru my pants was when I had kneeled down to put some frames of bees into a nuc and it made my fabric snug across the leg and daggone it, they seemed to enjoy stinging me multiple times then.

I have gotten stung on my hand even though there was no bee around to sting it. I think that when they sting your coat, they are leaving their stingers behind and I was stung with no bee around.

NasalSponge said:

What happens is the stinger when pulled from the bee does not stop working but continues to slide two barbed sections back and forth pulling it deeper and deeper into whatever was stung, so a minute or so after being stung in the suit or pants the stinger can work thru and begin to contact skin.

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You may get stung . But, her sting volume will be reduced
Ernie

Quite true...not near as bad as a full on, unprotected sting.

CentralPAguy said:

I normally wear Khaki cotten pants.

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Khaki pants are what I wear also. They are loose fitting and keeps the stinger away from your skin. I have had the same problem with them going up the leg a few times. I will get a few stings on the thighs and hips at time. You can pick up a pair of Khakis at Target for around $15.

If you sweat and it sticks to your skin, they will sting right through. Ultrabreeze fixes this problem. In cooler weather, the plain ones work ok.

Thanks for all the great replies.

I have 4 boxes built. Bought a table saw for the sole purpose of beekeeping. Have to make the bars (warre hive), roof and base and then I'm good to go. I expect to be in bees in early April. I really excited, can't wait to be a REAL beekeeper instead of the guy who has been reading every book he can get his hands on for the last 3 years.

I saw that show,and I wouldn't be caught dead in a get up like that . That said, loose fitting is the best. I have found they can sting through just about anything if it is tight against your skin.

Bill Schaefer

yep there sting resistant not sting proof and if you wear gloves they can get you there to ussually through a seam as a beekeeper your going to get stung just a fact of life.